Mavs haven’t settled on a definite rotation

DALLAS – As he surveys his roster, Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle believes it’s going to take some time before he settles on a definite rotation this season.

Then again, Carlisle isn’t sure if he’ll ever have a rotation consisting of the same players every game this year.

"I don’t know that this is going to be one of those teams where you can chart out a rotation every night,’’ Carlisle said after Sunday’s practice at American Airlines Center. "Our interchangeability gives us certain advantages, but one of the advantages is not certainty with the rotation.

"We’ve got too many guys who can do too many different things, and I talked to the guys about it. We’re going to have to be a group of guys that’s always ready, always ready to compete and competing hard against each other in practice for minutes, but then encouraging and helping each other out when the game starts.’’

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When and if he decides on a rotation, Carlisle said: "It’ll be at least nine (players). It could be 10 or 11 on some nights.

"All 3 centers (Tyson Chandler, Greg Smith and Brandan Wright) are in play. Our wing positions give us a lot of options, and we have some guys that are very capable situation players, so we’ll see.’’

The Mavs will start Dirk Nowitzki and Chandler Parsons at the forward spots during Tuesday’s regular season opener in San Antonio. The starting backcourt will consist of Jameer Nelson and Monta Ellis, while Chandler will get the starting nod at center.